Carney asks premiers to restock U.S. alcohol as trade deal nears
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston made the disclosure from Banff after a call between the prime minister and provincial leaders on the draft Canada-U.S. trade agreement.
Why it matters
Alberta, which never banned U.S. alcohol, would be largely unaffected by the request but stands to benefit from any tariff relief on energy and other exports negotiated in the deal.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked provincial premiers to return American alcohol to store shelves as Canada finalizes a trade deal with the United States, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said Wednesday. Houston, speaking to reporters from Banff following a call with Carney and other premiers, said the request came directly from the negotiating table and that he would be willing to comply, pending a final deal.
All provinces pulled U.S. liquor from shelves last year after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods, and the bans remain in place everywhere except Saskatchewan and Alberta. The Trump administration had pointed to the alcohol bans, Canada's dairy supply management system and tariff-free auto quotas as key reasons for its tariff threats.
Trump announced Tuesday he would pause 50 per cent tariffs for three days as the two governments finish negotiating the deal's language. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said the request to change alcohol procurement policies would not affect his province or Alberta, since both already let consumers choose. Houston said premiers were also asked to ensure procurement policies don't specifically exclude the U.S., and said supply management's core elements are expected to remain intact.
Trump separately claimed a deal had been reached that would revive the Keystone XL pipeline project. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said talks with the premiers were constructive but that more work remains, with chief negotiator Janice Charette continuing discussions in Washington.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.